UNION officials are to hold the first of a number of crunch talks over the future of a North-East tobacco factory.

The first formal meeting between management at British American Tobacco's (BAT) plant in Darlington and unions will take place this afternoon following the announcement it will close with the loss of 490 jobs.

The meeting is part of a statutory 90-day consultation period involving employees, managers and unions.

Amicus regional organiser Gerry Hunter will attend the meeting at the Rothmans plant, along with MSF Amicus section chairman Steve Monkman and other union officials.

BAT is planning to close the factory and move the operation to its Southampton plant.

Mr Monkman said last night that the talks will be aimed at fighting to keep the factory in the North-East.

He said: "There are a lot of issues that need to be discussed. Our aspirations are to keep the factory open.

"The workers have questions that need answering.

"We have had conversations with the Southampton plant and the staff there are giving us their full support."

John Hollings, president of the tobacco sector of Amicus, visited Darlington yesterday to pledge his support to workers.

He said: "We have concerns about the manufacturing industry in general and we need to discuss legislation that has been passed through the European Parliament that affects the tobacco industry.

"I think it is a symptom of the situation we are in at the moment."

MSF Amicus branch secretary Ray Raper is hoping to meet Euro MPs to discuss the matter further.

Mr Monkman, who has worked at Rothmans for 25 years, addressed a manufacturing conference at the weekend about the closure.

He said: "The industry is still standing but it is reeling from the blows inflicted by this legislation."